Analysis: What happened to Michigan State?

It’s safe to say nobody in East Lansing expected Michigan State to take such a large step back this year.

While the Spartans lost a bevy of talent in the offseason, Mark Dantonio and his staff are usually adept at earning the most from their players.

This year is different, though. Nothing has seemed to work, and Michigan State has lost seven games in a row - its longest losing streak since 1982, according to ESPN Stats and Information.

What makes this plunge even more confounding is the Spartans going 0-6 in conference play. The best example of their struggles came in a 31-27 loss to Illinois on Saturday.

In that game, the Spartans’ defense did an excellent job containing Illinois’ offense throughout most of the first half, holding it to just 26 total yards and no first downs. However, right before halftime, Illinois sustained an 11-play, 73-yard drive and took the lead on Kendrick Foster’s 19-yard touchdown run.

Limiting big plays continues to be a problem for Michigan State’s defense. In the second half, Foster added a 64-yard TD gallop that gave Illinois another lead.

Michigan State also made far too many mental mistakes. The Spartans committed 10 penalties for 89 yards, including two costly pass interference penalties by Tyson Smith that kept Illinois’ game-winning drive alive.

But while Michigan State's defense has struggled, its impotent offense has been just as bad.

The Spartans outgained the Illini by almost 200 yards Saturday, but it didn’t matter. Despite advancing to at least Illinois’ 36-yard line eight times, Michigan State came away with four field goals and only two touchdowns.

Regarding that inability to finish, Dantonio remarked to reporters: “You kick four field goals, that sounds good. But it means there’s missed opportunities in the red zone.”

Converting in the red zone has certainly been a problem for the Spartans all season. Heading into the Illinois game, Michigan State ranked 114th in FBS red zone offense, with a conversion percentage of .750.

Following its seventh straight loss, Michigan State is now 2-7 on the season, and it may only get worse from here as the Spartans still have Ohio State and Penn State to play. Judging by their recent performances, it’s possible the Spartans win just three games this season after making the College Football Playoff last year.

No matter its final win total - which at most will peak at five - this is a stunning reversal for a team that's been so consistent.

If there's a bright side, it’s that Michigan State has not given up. After losing to BYU, Northwestern, and Maryland by double-digit deficits, the Spartans played well against Michigan, holding the Wolverines to 32 points - two touchdowns below their season average. And at times against Illinois, the Spartans showed great poise on offense, orchestrating a six-play, 52-yard, fourth-quarter drive to take the lead. That's progress.

However, some of Michigan State's weaknesses, such as poor red zone offense, are difficult to overcome, especially against better competition. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how Dantonio and his staff handle the rest of the season, and how the players respond.

If the last few weeks are any indication, it's that regardless of results, the Spartans will keep fighting. While that spirit won’t be reflected this season, the growing pains will prepare them for the future.

This isn’t the same Spartans team the Big Ten is used to seeing, but don’t expect them to stay down for too long, either.